Election Commission remembers APJ Abdul Kalam as first national icon

The Election Commission on Tuesday remembered APJ Abdul Kalam as its first 'national icon' for voter awareness, saying he championed the cause of greater participation and use of electronic means in holding of free and fair elections.

New Delhi: The Election Commission on Tuesday remembered APJ Abdul Kalam as its first 'national icon' for voter awareness, saying he championed the cause of greater participation and use of electronic means in holding of free and fair elections.

The poll watchdog said ever since Kalam, who died yesterday, participated in its 2010 programme on voter awareness, he had championed the cause of greater participation for stronger democracy in the country as its first 'national icon'.

"ECI is blessed to have him as inspirational mentor on several occasions including this year's National Voters' Day function on January 25, where he inspired us as the chief guest," the Commission said in a statement.

The statement pointed out that the former President had envisioned and advocated e-election scenario in his book 'A Manifesto for Change' in which an election officer finds all details about a candidate on his computer system within few minutes thanks to e-governance software.

In his book, Kalam had also envisioned a scenario wherein a voter, by using a secured and authentic election mobile application, cast his vote by using his mobile and ID.

"He was always a guiding force for us and his death is an irreparable loss to the nation and hard to fill," the statement read.